The Leadville 29 is specifically designed to accommodate a shorter, more narrow stride and makes carrying a pack easier and more comfortable. Even if you're carrying the wine and cheese for the rest of the she-pack, you'll appreciate the unique design that makes it easier to hike and besides that, if you get there first, you get first choice on the precious contents of that knapsack on your back.

The exaggerated tear drop shape allows your feet to pass by each other without causing you to change the way you normally walk. This simple adjustment to the frame shape makes your hips happy and allows you to focus on the outdoors and your time on the backcountry. Designed by a woman, for women, who hike like women.

Each set of aluminum snowshoes come with a pair of heel lifts.

What is a heel lift? It's an optional feature for your snowshoes, which adds 2 inches of platform under your heel and makes climbing more efficient, comfortable (by reducing the strain on your calf muscles), and improves traction.

If you're located in the mountains, and you're snowshoeing up long, sustained climbs, a heel lift might be exactly what the doctor ordered. If you're spending most of your time on flatter or rolling terrain, you probably don't need the heel lift.